NFL teams want Arch Manning now.
But the most-hyped quarterback in the college game is keeping pro teams at bay.
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Arch Manning has a plan to deal with all of his NFL hypeCredit: Getty
With media days underway and the 2025 college season quickly approaching, Manning is set to lead a Texas Longhorns team that reached the NCAA College Football Playoff semifinals last year.
Former Texas QB Quinn Ewers fell to the seventh round of the NFL Draft before he was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the No. 231 overall pick.
Now it’s on Manning — the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning — to guide the Longhorns in 2025, and that starts with a big season opener on the road against defending national champion Ohio State.
Reporters are asking Manning about his pro future, almost a year before the 2026 draft.
The 21-year-old is pushing back and zeroing in on his current team.
“I’m really just focused on this interview and our run tomorrow,” Manning joked.
“I’m just focused on this year and getting better each day.”
There’s no doubt that Manning has the potential to be a No. 1 overall pick and NFL franchise QB — he already has more upside than recent top pick Cam Ward.
Peyton is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, while Eli twice beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Ewers was Texas’ top QB last year, but Manning put up sharper numbers when he was on the field.
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Archie Manning and Arch shared some quality time togetherCredit: Getty
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Texas fans are ready for Arch to take over the Longhorns in 2025Credit: Getty
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Cooper Manning, right, was a talented football player before an injury ended his runCredit: Getty
The 6ft 4in and 216lb New Orleans native completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 108 yards and four TDs.
That’s led to early Heisman Trophy talk, and Manning topping mock drafts.
But he has financial flexibility, thanks to more than $6 million in Name, Image and Likeness deals.
Manning also wants to maximize his time in college after being forced to watch and wait behind Ewers the last two seasons.
“I’m not sure how they get these opinions,” Manning said.
“I’ve only played what, two games. It’s nice of them to say, but it doesn’t mean anything. Talk is cheap, I gotta go prove it.”
Watch College football star Arch Manning score an INSANE 67 yard rushing touchdown
Fans loved Manning’s humble approach, drawing a line between his team-first style and the me-first leanings that likely affected Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 draft.
“Hard not to like this kid,” one fan tweeted.
“He has that Manning mentality, for sure,” a second fan posted.
“Wow, way different kind of response than you’d get from Deion’s kid,” a third fan wrote.
Sanders, Deion’s son, fell to the the No. 144 overall (fifth round) pick before he was selected by the Cleveland Browns.
The former Colorado star QB is now in a four-way battle to be Cleveland’s starter, and that list reaches five players when Deshaun Watson is activated.